Huntingdon's Joseph Odom drafted by Atlanta Braves in 13th round

Joseph Odom, shown here playing for Vestavia Hills High in 2010, was drafted in the 13th round on Saturday by the Atlanta Braves. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

Huntingdon College catcher Joseph Odom became the highest Major League Baseball draft in school history, as the Atlanta Braves selected him Saturday with the 403rd overall pick in the 13th round.

"I used to think Javy Lopez had the best job in the world," Odom said on the school's website, referring to the former Braves catcher. "That's what I wanted to do. It's still what I want to do. I feel blessed. It's exciting to be able to pursue your dream.

"When you're a kid, people always ask you what you're going to be when you grow up. My answer was always that I'm going to be a professional baseball player. Most people don't take you seriously and tell you that's a one-in-a-million chance. I've had to work hard for everything I've accomplished, but I've always believed I could do it."

Odom, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior from Vestavia Hills, hit .369 this year and earned second-team All-American honors in leading Division III with 14 home runs and finishing among the national leaders with 60 RBIs and a .706 slugging percentage.

"He's a guy that had a lot of potential when he came here and he worked hard to become the player he is," Huntingdon coach D.J. Conville said. "You look at the season he had this year and that is a result of dedication and hard work."

According to the school website, Odom said he will make a decision in the coming days between signing with the Braves or returning to school for his senior season.